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Deutsche Getreide Und Futtermittel-Handelsgesellschaft Mbh v Hauptzollamt Hamburg-Altona: ECJ 15 Dec 1970

ECJ 1. Levies are derived from the treaty and not from national law and are simultaneously applicable in all the member states; they act as regulators of the market within the framework of a common organization and are calculated on the basis of weighted values and having regard to standard qualities; they are therefore standard … Continue reading Deutsche Getreide Und Futtermittel-Handelsgesellschaft Mbh v Hauptzollamt Hamburg-Altona: ECJ 15 Dec 1970

Schonheit v Stadt Frankfurt am Main; Becker v Land Hessen: ECJ 23 Oct 2003

ECJ Social policy – Equal pay for men and women – Applicability of Article 119 of the EC Treaty (Articles 117 to 120 of the EC Treaty have been replaced by Articles 136 EC to 143 EC) and Article 141(1) and (2) EC and of Directive 86/378/EEC or Directive 79/7/EEC – Meaning of pay – … Continue reading Schonheit v Stadt Frankfurt am Main; Becker v Land Hessen: ECJ 23 Oct 2003

Armstrong and others v Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Hospital Trust: CA 21 Dec 2005

The claimants claimed equal pay, asserting use of particular comparators. The Trust said that there was a genuine material factor justifying the difference in pay. Held: To constitute a single source for the purpose of article 141, it is not enough for the non-RVI claimants to show that they have the same employer as the … Continue reading Armstrong and others v Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Hospital Trust: CA 21 Dec 2005

Alabaster v Woolwich Plc, Secretary of State for Social Security: CA 26 Feb 2002

The applicant had left on maternity leave. Before leaving, her salary had been increased, but the increase was not back-dated to any part of the period over which the regulations required her average earnings to be calculated for statutory maternity pay. She asserted discrimination, and unlawful deductions from her wages. Should her case be referred … Continue reading Alabaster v Woolwich Plc, Secretary of State for Social Security: CA 26 Feb 2002

Gabrielle Defrenne v Belgian State: ECJ 25 May 1971

ECJ The concept of pay as defined in article 119 of the EEC Treaty does not include social security schemes or benefits directly governed by legislation without any element of agreement within the undertaking or the occupational branch concerned, which are obligatorily applicable to general categories of workers or which, within the framework of such … Continue reading Gabrielle Defrenne v Belgian State: ECJ 25 May 1971

Bilka-Kaufhaus v Webers Von Hartz: ECJ 13 May 1986

ECJ An occupational pension scheme which, although established in accordance with statutory provisions, is based on an agreement between the employer and employee representatives constitutes an integral part of the contract of employ- ment and has the effect of supplementing the social benefits paid under national legislation of general application with benefits financed entirely by … Continue reading Bilka-Kaufhaus v Webers Von Hartz: ECJ 13 May 1986

ETI Euro Telecom International Nv v Republic of Bolivia and Another: CA 28 Jul 2008

The parties were involved in an international investment dispute arbitration. An injunction had been sought to prevent repatriation of assets to Bolivia. Held: The international system of arbitration was not subject to any national law and did not therefore amount to legal proceedings which would be capable of supporting the sort of relief claimed. The … Continue reading ETI Euro Telecom International Nv v Republic of Bolivia and Another: CA 28 Jul 2008

Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Rutherford and others: HL 3 May 2006

The claimant sought to establish that as a male employee, he had suffered sex discrimination in that he lost rights to redundancy pay after the age of retirement where a woman might not. Held: The appeal was dismised. There were very few people affected by the provisions, and provisions were on their face non-dicriminatory. Was … Continue reading Secretary of State for Trade and Industry v Rutherford and others: HL 3 May 2006

Jeffery and others v Secretary of State for Education and Another: EAT 17 Mar 2006

EAT Equal Pay Act Appellants to have membership of the employer’s pension scheme backdated to include earlier periods of part-time employment. Chairman held that the applications were out of time. Was this an error of law? Observations on what constitutes a stable employment relationship. Judges: Elias J P Citations: [2006] UKEAT 0677 – 05 – … Continue reading Jeffery and others v Secretary of State for Education and Another: EAT 17 Mar 2006

Hockenjos v Secretary of State for Social Security (No 2): CA 21 Dec 2004

The claimant shared child care with his former partner, but claimed that the system which gave the job-seeker’s child care supplement to one party only was discriminatory. Held: In such cases the supplement usually went to the mother, and this had a diverse impact on men. It was for the Secretary of State to justify … Continue reading Hockenjos v Secretary of State for Social Security (No 2): CA 21 Dec 2004

Radio Telefis Eireann And Others v Commission Of The European Communities. (Application For Interim Measures): ECJ 11 May 1989

ECJ Competition – Abuse of a dominant position – Practices preventing the publishing and sale of comprehensive weekly television guides.Joined cases 76, 77 and 91/89 R.Application for interim measures – Suspension of operation – Conditions for grant – Serious and irreparable damage(EEC Treaty, Art. 185; Rules of Procedure, Art . 83(2)) Judges: T Koopmans, P … Continue reading Radio Telefis Eireann And Others v Commission Of The European Communities. (Application For Interim Measures): ECJ 11 May 1989

Fratelli Grassi Fu Davide v Italian Finance Administration. (Questions Referred To The Court For A Preliminary Ruling): ECJ 15 Jun 1972

ECJ According to article 177 of the Treaty it is for the national court and not the parties to the main action to bring a matter before the court of justice. Since the power to formulate the questions to be referred is vested in the national court alone the parties cannot alter the wording of … Continue reading Fratelli Grassi Fu Davide v Italian Finance Administration. (Questions Referred To The Court For A Preliminary Ruling): ECJ 15 Jun 1972

Internationale Handelsgesellschaft Mbh v Einfuhr Und Vorratsstelle Fuer Getreide Und Futtermittel. (Measures Adopted By Institutions ): ECJ 17 Dec 1970

1. The validity of measures adopted by the institutions of the community can only be judged in the light of community law. The law stemming from the treaty, an independent source of law, cannot because of its very nature be overridden by rules of national law, however framed, without being deprived of its character as … Continue reading Internationale Handelsgesellschaft Mbh v Einfuhr Und Vorratsstelle Fuer Getreide Und Futtermittel. (Measures Adopted By Institutions ): ECJ 17 Dec 1970

Sirena SRL v Eda SRL And Others: ECJ 18 Feb 1971

ECJ The rights recognized by the legislation of a member state on the subject of industrial and commercial property are not affected, so far as their existence is concerned, by article 85 and 86 of the treaty. However, their exercise may fall under the prohibitions imposed by these provisions. (cf. Paragraph 2, summary, judgment in … Continue reading Sirena SRL v Eda SRL And Others: ECJ 18 Feb 1971

Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Mbh v Metro-Sb-Grossmarkte Gmbh and Co Kg: ECJ 8 Jun 1971

ECJ Under article 177 of the court, when giving a preliminary ruling, is entitled only to pronounce on the interpretation of the treaty and of acts of the institutions of the community or on their validity but may not, on the basis of that article, give judgment on the interpretation of a provision of national … Continue reading Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft Mbh v Metro-Sb-Grossmarkte Gmbh and Co Kg: ECJ 8 Jun 1971

Miller and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Exiting The European Union: SC 24 Jan 2017

Parliament’s Approval if statute rights affected In a referendum, the people had voted to leave the European Union. That would require a notice to the Union under Article 50 TEU. The Secretary of State appealed against an order requiring Parliamentary approval before issuing the notice, he saying that the notice could be given under the … Continue reading Miller and Another, Regina (on The Application of) v Secretary of State for Exiting The European Union: SC 24 Jan 2017

Her Majesty’s Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Zielinski Baker and Partners Limited: HL 26 Feb 2004

The commissioners sought to charge to VAT charges for works which had been carried out to a building within the curtilage of a listed building. The taxpayer sought zero-rating. Held: The outbuilding to which alterations were made must have been a ‘protected building’. Note (1) defines a protected building as both ‘a building which is … Continue reading Her Majesty’s Commissioners of Customs and Excise v Zielinski Baker and Partners Limited: HL 26 Feb 2004

Lawrence and others v Regent Office Care Ltd and Others: ECJ 17 Sep 2002

The employees claimed sex discrimination, and sought to have as comparators, male employees of an employer who had previously employed some of them, before a TUPE transfer of the services supplied. The Court of Appeal referred to the court the question of whether they could rely upon Article 141(1) to base such a comparison. Held: … Continue reading Lawrence and others v Regent Office Care Ltd and Others: ECJ 17 Sep 2002

Tomberger v Gebruder von der Wettern: ECJ 27 Jun 1996

ECJ (Judgment) In order to coordinate the content of annual accounts, the Fourth Directive 78/660 based on Article 54(3)(g) of the Treaty on the annual accounts of certain types of companies, as amended by the Seventh Directive 83/349 on consolidated accounts, lays down the principle of the ‘true and fair view’, compliance with which is … Continue reading Tomberger v Gebruder von der Wettern: ECJ 27 Jun 1996

MPA Pharma v Rhone-Poulenc Pharma GmbH: ECJ 11 Jul 1996

ECJ 1. Although a directive may not of itself impose obligations on an individual and cannot therefore be relied upon as such against him, the national court which applies national law and is required to interpret it must as far as possible do so, whether the provisions in question were adopted before or after the … Continue reading MPA Pharma v Rhone-Poulenc Pharma GmbH: ECJ 11 Jul 1996

Rush Portuguesa Ld v Office National d’immigration: ECJ 27 Mar 1990

ECJ Articles 59 and 60 of the EEC Treaty and Articles 215 and 216 of the Act of Accession of Portugal must be interpreted as meaning that an undertaking established in Portugal providing services in the construction and public works sector in another Member State may move with its labour force which it brings from … Continue reading Rush Portuguesa Ld v Office National d’immigration: ECJ 27 Mar 1990

Defrenne v Sabena Airlines: ECJ 15 Jun 1978

LMA Ms Defrenne was an air hostess employed by SABENA, a Belgian airline company. She brought an action against the airline based on Art.119 [now141] EC. Ms Defrenne claimed that in paying their male stewards more than their air hostesses, when they performed identical tasks, Sabena were in breach of Art.119EC. The question to the … Continue reading Defrenne v Sabena Airlines: ECJ 15 Jun 1978

Deutsche Telekom Ag v Vick and Another; Same v Schroder; Deutsche Post Ag v Sievers and Another: ECJ 28 Mar 2000

The social purposes of the Treaty in article 119 (141 EC) overrode the economic aims of the Treaty. Accordingly the article did not preclude a requirement upon a member state which imposed obligations to satisfy that social aim, even though it migt have economic consequences which risked an adverse effect upon that member states international … Continue reading Deutsche Telekom Ag v Vick and Another; Same v Schroder; Deutsche Post Ag v Sievers and Another: ECJ 28 Mar 2000

Ornano v Ministero della Giustizia, Direzione Generale dei Magistrati del Ministero: ECJ 14 Jul 2016

ECJ (Judgment) Reference for a preliminary ruling – Social policy – Article 119 of the EC Treaty (subsequently Article 141 EC) – Directive 75/117/EEC – Equal pay for men and women – Article 1 – Directive 92/85/EEC – Measures to improve the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently … Continue reading Ornano v Ministero della Giustizia, Direzione Generale dei Magistrati del Ministero: ECJ 14 Jul 2016

Seymour-Smith and Perez; Regina v Secretary of State for Employment, Ex Parte Seymour-Smith and Another: ECJ 9 Feb 1999

Awards made by an industrial tribunal for unfair dismissal are equivalent to pay for equal pay purposes. A system which produced a differential effect between sexes was not indirect discrimination unless the difference in treatment between men and women was substantial. Times 25-Feb-1999, C-167/97, [1999] IRLR 253, [1999] ICR 447, [1999] ECR I-623, [1999] EUECJ … Continue reading Seymour-Smith and Perez; Regina v Secretary of State for Employment, Ex Parte Seymour-Smith and Another: ECJ 9 Feb 1999

Regina (Smeaton) v Secretary of State for Health and Others: Admn 18 Apr 2002

The claimant challenged the Order as regards the prescription of the morning-after pill, asserting that the pill would cause miscarriages, and that therefore the use would be an offence under the 1861 Act. Held: ‘SPUC’s case is that any interference with a fertilised egg, if it leads to the loss of the egg, involves the … Continue reading Regina (Smeaton) v Secretary of State for Health and Others: Admn 18 Apr 2002

Seldon v Clarkson Wright and Jakes (A Partnership): CA 28 Jul 2010

The claimant solicitor said that the compulsory retirement from his partnership on age grounds was discriminatory, and that the UK Regulations had not implemented the Directive fully. Held: The appeal failed. The purpose of the provision as to allow the progression of younger members of the practice. This aim was recognised by the legislation, and … Continue reading Seldon v Clarkson Wright and Jakes (A Partnership): CA 28 Jul 2010

Levez v T H Jennings (Harlow Pools) Ltd: ECJ 1 Dec 1998

Regulations debarred a claim after a certain time even where the delay had been because of a deliberate concealment of information by an employer. Held: Availability of other means of redress was not sufficient to displace this rule. Advocate General Leger said: ‘an action brought under the Equal Pay Act and an action brought under … Continue reading Levez v T H Jennings (Harlow Pools) Ltd: ECJ 1 Dec 1998

Enderby v Frenchay Health Authority and Another: ECJ 27 Oct 1993

Discrimination – Shifting Burden of Proof (Preliminary Ruling) A woman was employed as a speech therapist by the health authority. She complained of sex discrimination saying that at her level of seniority within the NHS, members of her profession which was overwhelmingly a female profession, were appreciably less well paid than members of comparable professions … Continue reading Enderby v Frenchay Health Authority and Another: ECJ 27 Oct 1993

Allonby v Accrington and Rossendale College for Education and Employment: ECJ 13 Jan 2004

ECJ Principle of equal pay for men and women – Direct effect – Meaning of worker – Self-employed female lecturer undertaking work presumed to be of equal value to that which is undertaken in the same college by male lecturers who are employees, but under contract with a third company – Self-employed lecturers not eligible … Continue reading Allonby v Accrington and Rossendale College for Education and Employment: ECJ 13 Jan 2004

Unison, Regina (on The Application of) v The Lord Chancellor and Another: Admn 7 Feb 2014

The claimant challenged the Regulations and Orders charging for the laying of complaints at Employment Tribunals, saying they were mistaken and discriminatory. Held: The challenge failed. The new Order was not in breach of European Union principles of effectiveness or equivalence. Althought the new system was expensive for litigants it was not so to the … Continue reading Unison, Regina (on The Application of) v The Lord Chancellor and Another: Admn 7 Feb 2014

Morton v South Ayrshire Council: IHCS 14 Feb 2002

The applicants were head teachers employed in junior schools. They alleged sex discrimination, and sought to use as comparators head teachers from different local authorities. The comparators had been put forward on the basis that the teacher in question was male and was being paid at a higher rate for work that was like work … Continue reading Morton v South Ayrshire Council: IHCS 14 Feb 2002

William James Quirk v Burton Hospital NHS Trust the National Health Service Pensions Agency: CA 12 Feb 2002

The applicant appealed a refusal to rule that the system of allowing females better retirement options than would be granted to him as a Health Service employee were sexually discriminatory. The difference arose because of differentials applied before the directive came into effect, by the 1980 regulations. The case fell within the rule in Barber, … Continue reading William James Quirk v Burton Hospital NHS Trust the National Health Service Pensions Agency: CA 12 Feb 2002

Sharp v Caledonia Group Services Ltd: EAT 1 Nov 2005

EAT Equal Pay Act – Material factor defence – In an equal pay claim involving a presumption of direct discrimination the genuine material factor defence requires justification by objective criteria.The claimant appealed dismissal of her action for equal pay, saying that the ‘material factor’ defence used to justify a different payment had been incorrectly applied. … Continue reading Sharp v Caledonia Group Services Ltd: EAT 1 Nov 2005

Ministry of Defence v Armstrong and Another: EAT 7 Apr 2004

The MOD (the Appellants) contend that the Employment Tribunal erred in law in holding, in a Decision promulgated on 17 September 2002 after a preliminary hearing, that they had not established a ‘material factor’ defence to the Respondents’ claims for equal pay, pursuant to the provisions of the Equal Pay Act 1970 and Article 141 … Continue reading Ministry of Defence v Armstrong and Another: EAT 7 Apr 2004

Harvest Town Circle Ltd v Rutherford: EAT 10 Jul 2001

In a case alleging indirect sex discrimination in the differing rules denying entitlement to redundancy payments for men over 65, the tribunal should be ready to look at a wide range of statistics. The test is whether the rule imposed some condition which could be met only by a substantially smaller proportion of one sex … Continue reading Harvest Town Circle Ltd v Rutherford: EAT 10 Jul 2001

FMX Food Merchants Import Export Co Ltd v Revenue and Customs: SC 29 Jan 2020

This appeal concerns the meaning and effect of the phrase ‘Customs Debt’ in article 221(4) of the former Customs Code of the EU, contained in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92. Customs duties may be due under ‘post-clearance demands’ and the Court now considered the time limits for such demands. The tax payer imported garlic, saying … Continue reading FMX Food Merchants Import Export Co Ltd v Revenue and Customs: SC 29 Jan 2020

Citibank International Plc v Kessler and An: CA 24 Mar 1999

A standard clause in a mortgage, giving the right to a lender to prevent the borrower letting the property, did not constitute an unlawful restriction on the freedom of movement of workers under European Law, and was not invalid. Citations: Times 24-Mar-1999, Gazette 14-Apr-1999 Statutes: EC Treaty Art 44 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Consumer, European … Continue reading Citibank International Plc v Kessler and An: CA 24 Mar 1999

Asda Stores Ltd v Brierley and Others (Equal Pay Act): EAT 31 Aug 2017

EQUAL PAY ACT – Article 141/European law EQUAL PAY ACT – Equal value EQUAL PAY ACT – Other establishments 1. Although the point is not acte clair, the better view is that article 157 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union is directly effective in a claim founded on equal pay for … Continue reading Asda Stores Ltd v Brierley and Others (Equal Pay Act): EAT 31 Aug 2017

South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council v Anderson and others: EAT 26 Mar 2007

The council appealed a finding that there was no genuine material factor justifying a difference in pay, and in particular the availability of bonus schemes. Judges: Wilkie J, Benyon, Smith Citations: [2007] UKEAT 0684 – 05 – 2603 Links: Bailii Statutes: Equal Pay Act 1970 1(2)(b), EU Treaty 141, Equal Pay Directive (75/117/EEC) 1 Jurisdiction: … Continue reading South Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council v Anderson and others: EAT 26 Mar 2007

Sodexo Ltd v Gutridge and others: EAT 31 Jul 2008

EAT EQUAL PAY ACT JURISDICTIONAL POINTS: Claim in time and effective date of termination The claimants alleged that their employer had been in breach of their rights under the Equal Pay Act 1970. They had been transferred pursuant to a TUPE transfer and claimed their equal pay rights some five years later. Their claims relied … Continue reading Sodexo Ltd v Gutridge and others: EAT 31 Jul 2008

Autologic Holdings Plc and others v Commissioners of Inland Revenue: HL 28 Jul 2005

Taxpayer companies challenged the way that the revenue restricted claims for group Corporation Tax relief for subsidiary companies in Europe. The issue was awaiting a decision of the European Court. The Revenue said that the claims now being made by other companies should proceed through the Commissioners who could implement European law directly. The taxpayers … Continue reading Autologic Holdings Plc and others v Commissioners of Inland Revenue: HL 28 Jul 2005

Seldon v Clarkson Wright and Jakes: SC 25 Apr 2012

The appellant claimed that the requirement imposed on him to retire from his law firm partnership on attaining 65 was an unlawful discrimination on the grounds of age. Held: The matter was remitted to the Employment tribunal to see whether the fixing of the mandatory retirment age at 65 was a proportionate means of achieving … Continue reading Seldon v Clarkson Wright and Jakes: SC 25 Apr 2012